11 Housing Markets In Canada Are Overvalued: CMHC

A 'For Sale' sign stands outside a home in Peoria, Illinois, U.S., on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015. Sales of previously owned U.S. homes rebounded in September to the second-highest level since February 2007, the latest sign that the recovery in residential real estate will support growth in the worlds largest economy. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images

TORONTO — Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. says it has detected overvaluation in 11 housing markets, with other concerns flagged in Toronto, Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Regina.

A new CMHC report released today says acceleration in home prices and overvaluation — which occurs when prices aren't supported by fundamental drivers such as income and population — suggest that trouble may be brewing in Toronto.

In Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Regina, the federal agency says it has found evidence of overvaluation and overbuilding, which occurs when the supply of homes outpaces the demand.

Saskatoon was not identified as problematic in CMHC's last quarterly assessment as only one risk factor was present that city — overbuilding. But since then the agency has found signs of overvaluation in its real estate market, as well.

CMHC says an overbuilding of condo units may also be emerging in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, and the agency is monitoring those markets for developments.

Meanwhile, the agency says evidence of problematic conditions in Vancouver is weak, although signs of overvaluation are beginning to emerge.

CMHC's chief economist Bob Dugan said it has found overvaluation in 11 out of 15 of the markets tracked by the report, making it the most prevalent of the issues the agency has detected in Canadian real estate markets.

"The evidence of overvaluation has increased since the previous assessment in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton, and Saskatoon as price levels are not fully supported by economic and demographic factors,'' Dugan said in a statement.

"Problematic overvaluation conditions in local housing markets could be resolved by moderation in house prices and/or improving economic conditions.''

The agency uses four factors to identify the level of risk present in regional housing markets: accelerating price growth, overvaluation of prices, overbuilding and overheating of demand, which occurs when demand significantly outpaces supply.